Migration without a dedicated team: a guaranteed nightmare
When a data migration project goes off track, the root cause is rarely technological. The problem almost always starts with a lack of… human resources.
We focus on tools, timelines, and budgets—and forget what matters most: the people who bring the project to life. The result? Resource unavailability, poor preparation, and lack of clarity.
Data validations are rushed, and rules are defined too late.
What follows: poor decisions, unnecessary back-and-forth, endless rework, disengagement, fatigue-driven errors, and even loss of critical knowledge due to employee turnover.
Common mistakes in migration projects
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Underestimating the actual effort required
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Treating migration as a strictly IT initiative
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Assuming internal resources can absorb the project without impacting daily operations
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Assigning critical tasks only to less experienced profiles
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Selecting functional consultants without data or migration expertise
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Overloading the same subject matter experts (SMEs)
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Assuming all stakeholders share the same interests and ignoring underlying conflicts
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Dismantling the project team immediately after go-live
How to avoid these pitfalls
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Build a migration-specific resource plan, separate from the overall project plan
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Secure formal commitment on resource availability
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Identify backups for key roles
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Bring in missing resources at least three months before the project: they can temporarily replace internal staff and, in some cases, stay on after the project
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Assign the right profiles to the right roles
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Define a clear RACI from the outset
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Limit overload on key experts: one expert per critical stream
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Ensure structured knowledge transfer
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Approach migration as a change in practices, not just a change in tools
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Develop a true business-side “data” culture
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Actively manage organizational and political dynamics
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Plan a realistic rollout centered on people and their limits
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Retain key resources after go-live
Putting people at the center of the project means securing the go-live and ensuring the system’s long-term sustainability after migration. A successful migration invests as much in people as it does in technology. That’s the DBC approach.
Your successful migration starts with the right people.
Our experts are here to help.
